Tool



P 1 1940- 1.. A. SLAUGHTERBACK 2.198.953

TOOL

Filed Oct. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet J.

Inventor April 0- L. A. SLAUGHTERBACK 2,198,953

' TOOL Filed 001, 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 i Q 1 m Rx Q' K I: IE I O Q .I O O- MS? I g I I V g I I Inventor l flJ/a7%f ZQ c/r' f; I l I By 2 m '1 iforneys Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT F FICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in tools of the wrench or plier type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a tool of the type including a pair of opposed jaws, novel means for automatically adjusting and actuating said jaws.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a tool of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, stron durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a tool constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the jaws open.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of the attached plate.

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective of the moveable jaw operating wedge.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail perspective views of the toggle links.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment. of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a handle or lever I of suitable metal. Formed integrally with the forward end of the handle I and projecting substantially at right angles thereto is a plate 2. Projecting forwardly from the free end portion of the plate 2 is a stationary jaw 3.

The 'reference numeral 4 designates a metallic plate which is secured, as at 5, on one side of the plate 2 in spaced, opposecgelation thereto. The plates 2 and 4 have formed therein guide slots 6. Joumalled between the upper forward corner portions of the plates 2 and 4 is a roller 1, the

, purpose of which will be presently set forth.

The'reference numeral 8 designates a handle or lever of suitable metal comprising an angularly extending forward portion 9 operable between the plates 2 and 4 and terminating, at its forward end, in a moveable jaw Ill. The jaw I0 is, of course, moveable toward and away from the stationary jaw 3. Headed elements II project from the sides of the portion 9 of the jaw 8 and travel in the guide slots 6. The reference numeral I2 designates generally a toggle which is mounted between the handles l and 8 and connected thereto for actuation thereby. The toggle I2 comprises links I3 and I4 which are pivotally connected at one end, said 5 links having their outer ends pivotally connected to the handles I and 8, as at IS. The reference numeral I6 designates a wedge which is pivotally connected at one end, as at I1, to the pivotal joint between the toggle links I3 and I4. The wedge I6 is operable between the roller 1 and, the inner end portion of the jaw ID for moving said jaw I0 toward the stationary jaw 3 when the handles I and 8 are swung towardeach other.

The forward edges of the plates 2 and 4 have formed therein notches I8 for the reception of wire to be cut. Wire engaged in the notches I8 is sheared by the edge portion l 9 of the handle 8.

It is thought that the operation of the tool will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. When the handles I and 8 are swung inwardly or toward each other the toggle I2 drives the wedge I6 forwardly beneath the roller 1 in a manner to move the jaw I0 toward the jaw 3. During this operation the headed elements II travel in the guide slots 6. The construction and arrangement is such that the jaws readily adjust themselves as may be necessary and great leverage is had whereby said jaws will be caused to tightly grip an object therebetween. Of course, when the handles I and 8 are swung away from each other the wedge I6 is retracted by the toggle changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangementof parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is: g e A tool of the class described comprising a pair of plates spaced apart and having longitudinally extending slots therein, a handle having one end rigidly connected with one end of the plates, the handle extending rearwardly, a jaw connected to the other end of the plates and extending forwardly, a member including a handle part, a jaw part and a sloping part between the handle part and the 'jaw part, said sloping part extending between the plates, projections on the sloping part extending through the slots in the plates, a roller located between the plates and. at that end with which the firstmentioned handle is connected, a wedge member for engaging the roller and an edge portion of the slopnig'part of the member for forcing the jaw of said member toward the first-mentioned jaw and a pair of links having their forward ends pivotally connected to the rear end of the wedge member, and their other ends pivoted one to the first-mentioned handle member and the other to the second handle member.

LAWRENCE A. SLAUGHTERBACK. 

